Angled baby bottle collar and nipple

Abstract

A baby bottle collar for connecting a nipple to a baby bottle including a body having a proximal opening and a distal opening in fluid communication; a nipple retaining protrusion encircling the distal opening, the nipple retaining protrusion configured to engage a nipple of a baby bottle; and a plurality of engagement elements provided adjacent the proximal opening that are configured to engage with an opening of the baby bottle. Where the body of the collar includes an angled bend such that the proximal opening is positioned in non-coaxial alignment with the distal opening. A baby bottle nipple including a nipple body having a proximal opening, a nipple protrusion extending from the nipple body, and a distal opening defined in an end of the nipple protrusion. The nipple protrusion extending from the nipple body at an angle such that a longitudinal axis of the nipple protrusion forms a nonlinear angle.

1 . A baby bottle collar configured to connect a nipple to a baby bottle, the collar comprising:
 a body having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal opening and the distal opening being in fluid communication;   a nipple retaining protrusion that encircles the distal opening of the collar body, the nipple retaining protrusion configured to engage with a nipple of a baby bottle; and   a plurality of engagement elements provided adjacent to the proximal opening of the body of the collar, the plurality of engagement elements configured to engage with an opening of the baby bottle;   wherein the body of the collar includes an angled bend such that the proximal opening is positioned in non-coaxial alignment with the distal opening.   
     
     
         2 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of food grade molded plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the body, the nipple retaining protrusion, and the plurality of engagement elements are integrally formed. 
     
     
         4 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are provided on an internal surface of the body of the collar. 
     
     
         5 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are configured to sealably engage with the opening of the baby bottle. 
     
     
         6 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are configured to engage with threads on the opening of the baby bottle. 
     
     
         7 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are threads. 
     
     
         8 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are discontinuous channels. 
     
     
         9 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of engagement elements are clips. 
     
     
         10 . The collar of  claim 1  wherein the angled bend is 10 to 90 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . A baby bottle nipple comprising:
 a nipple body having a proximal opening;   a nipple protrusion extending from the nipple body; and   a distal opening defined in an end of the nipple protrusion;   wherein the nipple protrusion extends from the nipple body at an angle such that a longitudinal axis of the nipple protrusion forms a nonlinear angle.   
     
     
         12 . The nipple of  claim 11  further comprising a vent hole formed in the nipple body. 
     
     
         13 . The nipple of  claim 11  wherein the nipple protrusion is provided in a center of the nipple body. 
     
     
         14 . The nipple of  claim 11  wherein the nipple protrusion is provided in an off-center position on the nipple body. 
     
     
         15 . The nipple of  claim 11  further comprising a nipple flange that is configured to engage with a baby bottle collar. 
     
     
         16 . The nipple of  claim 11  wherein the nipple is formed of a food grade silicone material. 
     
     
         17 . The nipple of  claim 11  wherein the angle is present in a neck portion intermediate between the nipple body and the nipple protrusion.